Natural Emergencies

Planning ahead and preparing for inclement weather and natural disasters can help keep you and your family safe.

Severe Winter Weather

Cold weather puts extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about performing strenuous work like shoveling the driveway in the cold. If you do have to work outside, be sure to dress in layers and work slowly.

Before a storm:

Protect your home:

Insulate walls and attic

Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows

Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside

Insulate any water lines that run along outer walls (water will be less likely to freeze)

Service snow-removal equipment

Have chimney and flue inspected

Install easy-to-read outdoor thermometer

Protect your car:

Have the radiator system serviced, or check the anti freeze level yourself with an anti freeze tester. Add anti freeze, as needed

Replace windshield wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture

Replace any worn tires, and check the air pressure

During winter, keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines

Stock up on emergency supplies:

Communication Checklist:

Make sure you have a battery powered radio

Find out how your community warns residents about sever weather (siren, radio, TV)

Listen to emergency broadcasts

Know what winter storm warning terms mean

Food and Safety Checklist:

Drinking water

Canned/no cook foods

Non-electric can opener

Baby food and formula (if baby in the household)

Prescription drugs and other medications

First aid kit

Rock salt to melt ice on driveway

Supply of cat litter or bag of sand to provide traction on walkways

Flashlight and extra batteries

Battery powered lamps or lanterns

Water Checklist:

Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously

Keep the indoor temperature warm

Allow more heated air near pipes

If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer

If you cannot thaw pipes, or if they have broken open, use bottled water

Have bottled water on hand

In an emergency—if no other water is available—snow can be melted for water. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs but won’t get rid of chemicals sometimes found in snow

Heating Checklist:

Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out: fire place with plenty of dry firewood or gas log fireplace, or portable space heaters